Help Me Quit Smoking

What Else Can I Give Up?

2010-02-18T09:40:00.000Z

Well, it's over four years since I quit the cigarettes, so there is very little I can post here any more. However, I have now decided to quit alcohol for the period of Lent. Why am I doing it? Does it mean I am a Christian? Will it be just for Lent or will I become a fully fledged teetotaller?

Find out all the answers and follow my progress (and my mate Geoff's) at No Alchohol For Lent >>

Comments Please - But No Spam!

2009-11-15T12:58:00.002Z

I’ve had quite a few people commenting on my posts at Help Me Quit Smoking recently. I’m always pleased to hear from anybody who has enjoyed reading or been inspired by my experiences of quitting smoking and I enthusiastically welcome new comments. But regrettably there are a lot of people who are simply ‘spamming’ and using the success of this blog as a promotional medium for their own (quite often dubious) Web content.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all in favour of promotion, but there are a couple of things that really wind me up and are guaranteed not to get published here.

For example I have no intention of publishing a comment which says something like; “I also have a blog about quitting smoking. It is at www.etc...” or even worse; “Hey dude! Check out my [money making affiliate link]!” (And if you think I’m exaggerating a little there then believe me I really do get plenty of them – including the exclamation marks.)

So, just to make things clear: If you have a genuine and worthwhile comment to make then I’ll probably publish it – including the link back to your site if you have one – but please, please, please make it something on topic and of value to readers who are interested in giving up smoking. Oh, and preferably more than half a dozen words too. Fair enough?

By the way, I will soon be celebrating my 4th anniversary of quitting smoking. Yes really, FOUR YEARS since I gave up the cigarette habit and I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. I am healthier, wealthier, and happier too.

So if you are currently trying to become an ex-smoker and want to follow my example then don’t quit on quitting!

Back To The Beginning...

2009-03-25T07:48:00.002Z

If you are visiting this blog for the first time then thank you! I appreciate the number of people reading my experience of quitting smoking and I hope that in some way it helps. If even one person is encouraged or inspired to stop smoking, or perhaps just to keep on trying, then my time writing hasn't been wasted.

Actually, I wouldn't ever consider the time wasted anyway, because at the time it was a very effective and helpful activity for me which definitely improved my chances of quitting successfully. And I would highly recommend any prospective 'quitter' to consider keeping their own diary or blog both to record the experience, and as an outlet for some of the challenges they might face.

Now, if you have found Help Me Quit Smoking in the hope of finding some useful tips and advice about how you can stop smoking yourself. Then you have come to the right place; I don't pull any punches and tell it exactly how it is / was. This is my real life genuine experience of quitting smoking and I wrote it as it happened from day to day. But you will have to go back to the beginning to get a proper idea of how the process pans out. So may I suggest you travel back with me to December 2005 when I was still a smoker? Click here to go back >

Happy To Help You Quit Smoking

2008-07-01T12:06:00.004Z

When I started writing Help Me Quit Smoking more than two and a half years ago, I was focusing day to day on how to manage without cigarettes in my life and couldn't really imagine how I would feel as a genuine non-smoker. Now the battle is won - I am an ex-smoker and most days don't even consider life with the dreaded weed at all. Which is why I don't post here as often as I used to: The fact is; it doesn't even cross my mind. That is a good thing in my opinion as it proves that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Lately I have received quite a few comments and messages from people who are just starting out on their journey of giving up smoking, or are sometimes only several days down the line. The fantastic thing for me is that they find reading about my own experience of quitting helpful and often encouraging. Perhaps knowing that what they are experiencing is 'normal' for a quitter, or simply that they are not alone is all it takes to keep going for just another minute, hour or day.

So, do I have any tips for quitting? Well, read about how I conquered the addiction and remember, you only have to quit one cigarette at at time. Just don't give in to the one you are craving right now and the rest of the battle will follow one cigarette at a time. Take your mind off it; go for a run, take a shower, eat an apple, chew some gum, whatever it takes to get past that craving feeling - it only takes a minute and you could probably even hold your breath for that long. So do you really need to spoil your efforts so far by giving in?

Finally, you could also start your own blog or if you want to keep it to yourself perhaps a personal diary. One thing I know is that writing things down in whatever form you choose really helps - it makes you more committed to the cause and gives you an outlet when things seem grim or impossibly difficult. And who knows? In another couple of years you could also be getting messages from people who find your thoughts helpful in their own journeys to become non-smokers.

Thanks for your comments and keep them coming. Life as a non-smoker really is healthier and happier. Good luck!

Welcome To The Majority

2008-05-17T06:47:00.002Z

I can't believe it is almost two and a half years since I quit smoking cigarettes. The time goes so quickly! I take it for granted now that I can breathe more easily and am so much fitter and healthier than before. It is nearly a year since the ban on smoking in enclosed public areas too; which is in my opinion one of the best things that has ever happened for people like myself who have given up smoking.

Everywhere you go nowadays you see smokers standing outside buildings getting their fix, sometimes huddled together in groups, but often standing alone and shunned by the non-smoking majority. Yes, I know it's a major inconvenience for smokers, especially when it is cold or raining, but just think of the benefits: no more orangey yellow nicotine stained ceilings, no 'passive smoking' while inhabiting smoke filled pubs, and no more going home with your clothes smelling of second hand smoke. But the biggest benefit has got to be that ex-smokers, and especially the newly given up, don't have that constant reminder of the smoking habit while out socialising; which was always the most difficult time.

So my thoughts today are with all of those new quitters out there: Welcome to the majority, stick with us and enjoy the smoke free environment of our public buildings.

4 Myths Of Quitting Smoking Debunked

2007-12-06T15:54:00.000Z

I thought I'd post another video today. It's from one of the most famous and successful quit smoking practitioners; the late Allen Carr. You must have seen his books on the subject. Anyway, in this video he debunks 4 of the myths that smokers believe is what makes things difficult when they want to give up.

So if you're thinking of quitting the weed, then watch this short film. As an ex-smoker I can tell you that it's all true! Once you realise that they really are myths the quitting process is easy...

The Time To Quit Is Now!

2007-12-03T11:46:00.000Z

I was poking around the Web earlier and came across this photo essay video about the effects of smoking. I think it sums things up pretty well. Take a look and see what you think...

Mental Preparation For Quitting Smoking

2007-10-04T08:13:00.000Z

I was just thinking about what it used to be like to be a smoker and I suddenly realised that it was about 2 years ago now that I started thinking seriously about quitting. Yes, I think it is fair to say that there was some mental preparation long before I actually stubbed out my last cigarette. For one thing; even though I was still a smoker at that time, I used to consider the reasons why I was smoking each cigarette during the day - first thing in the morning, or after a meal for example. It wasn't long before I started to cut down, and put off routine smokes: Perhaps I was testing my willpower?

It's all water under the bridge now of course, but I realise now that the whole giving up smoking process started well before my first blog post here. So if you would like to quit the habit (and you should) then start making those 'mental preparations' now so that when the time comes you will be ready. Good luck!

Safe Haven For UK Smokers

2007-09-05T10:47:00.000Z

Smokers miffed at the ban on smoking in public places in the UK might be pleased to hear there is a place they can go where almost everybody smokes. It is commonplace in public including; hotels, bars, restaurants, and even shops! So where is it?

Turkey!

Yes, I know it is quite a way to travel to enjoy your cigarettes like in the old days before people got wise to the cancerous effect of smoking. But if you are a staunch, died in the wool, won't quit til you die smoker then this could be just what you need. You will be in great company and the cigarettes are incredibly cheap too - so you won't get hammered for tax like in the UK. You could smoke until your heart is content without the slightest hassle or hint of a disapproving comment.

On the negative side, there is no NHS to look after you when you contract cancer or one of the many other smoking related illnesses so you had best put those tax savings into an account to pay your medical bills later on.

As you may have gathered I recently visited Turkey for a holiday. It was a fantastic week and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. However, I'm glad that I gave up smoking 20 months ago because the temptation to light up is very strong - I think if I had recently quit the habit then it would have been very difficult indeed. So be warned; if you have recently quit smoking then Turkey might not be your ideal holiday destination. In fact it reminded me of Spain 20 years ago when to me it seemed that smoking was almost compulsory.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes for Turkey to wise up to the health risks that accompany smoking. Perhaps they don't want to? If so, then perhaps all of the smokers could go and live there and leave the rest of us to a healthier smoke-free environment.

Just a thought...

Enjoy Quitting Smoking

2007-07-19T11:58:00.000Z

I was talking to a friend who is still a smoker recently about the UK ban on smoking in enclosed spaces. Naturally he feels quite miffed that he is now unable to light up while at the pub and expressed his annoyance at the pressure he now feels to quit the habit.

"If I gave up of my own accord then that would be fine." he said; "But the fact is that I still enjoy smoking, so why should I quit just because the government say I should?"

I think the defining message there is that he still 'enjoys' his cigarettes. Of course, what he really means is that he is very much addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes. The so called 'enjoyment' is simply the body's gratitude for getting another fix of a powerful drug it has become dependant on. Trust me; I was a smoker for 23 years and I have been there!

Anyway, my point is that if you are a smoker looking for help on quitting, don't expect to find a way to stop the 'enjoyment' or wake up one day and decide that you don't like it any more. It does take a certain amount of willpower to quit, even with NRT or other support, but it can be done as I have proved. Just be realistic about it and don't kid yourself with excuses.

Hooray For A Smoke Free England!

2007-07-06T09:56:00.000Z

I spent my first evening at The Willows, a formerly smoke filled pub, last night and what a breath of fresh air it was. Smoking in enclosed spaces has been banned now for almost a week and it seems to be working well - and for once I didn't find my clothes stinking of stale cigarette smoke after getting home, what a bonus!

It seems that lots of pubs are building outdoor shelters to placate their smoking clientelle, but The Willows hasn't bothered yet (It remains to be seen if they will in the future). So it was quite a sight to see the smokers standing outside huddled in their little groups. I expect this will become even more of an inconvenience when winter sets in and they have to stand in the cold and rain. So it could encourage many to give up smoking altogether.

My belief is that not only is the smoking ban good for non-smokers, whether they are people who have quit the habit or people who have never smoked, but by encouraging them to quit it is a good thing for smokers too. I know many smokers might disagree, but the evidence will speak for itself in years to come as we see a reduction in smoking related deaths.

And while there are still many stubborn smokers who insist they don't want to quit, I don't know of any ex-smoker who regrets giving up the habit.

England Approaches Total Smoking Ban

2007-05-16T09:17:00.000Z

As we approach the total ban on smoking in enclosed public places in England on July 1st I am more glad than ever that I gave up when I did. One of the things I always enjoyed as a smoker was having a few beers accompanied by a few cigarettes. The two went together like a comfortable pair of gloves for many years and it would have been very difficult to have them separated against my will.

Obviously, there will be many (if not most) smokers who disagree with the ban, but I believe it is a very worthwhile cause. Besides reducing the damage done by passive smoking, it is also a great help to those ex-smokers, like myself, who occasionally suffer a reduction in will power and are tempted to light up - 'out of sight, out of mind' can be a very appropriate phrase at such times.

My advice to smokers in England, and especially those who would like to quit the habit, is to use July 1st as a target date for stopping. It's not impossible (as I can testify), and the added advantage of not being surrounded by smokers in public places will really help in my opinion.

I personally, along with many many others, will celebrate the total ban on smoking and enjoy the cleaner air in pubs and other enclosed public places - and remember; it was less than 18 months ago that I was myself a helpless nicotine addict!

Quit smoking on July 1st - you will never live to regret it.

Quit Smoking With The Help Of Smoothies

2007-01-24T09:42:00.000Z

Readers may remember that when I first gave up smoking I substituted my first cigarette of the day with a glass of fresh juice (a far healthier alternative to look forward to in the mornings). It really seemed to help the cravings in the first weeks after kicking the habit, as well as providing that all-important boost of vitamin C to help purify the body from years of nicotine dependence.

A year on and I have gone a step further and replaced the fruit juice, and indeed my usual breakfast of toast, with a healthy vitamin rich smoothie. I'm currently experimenting with different recipes but my favourite at this time has got to be Carrot, Apple & Banana with a couple of extra ingredients which I am calling "Foxy Lady". It is dead easy to make a smoothie, just throw everything into a blender and switch it on. Here is the full recipe:-

Foxy Lady - serves 3 - 4

2 Medium Carrots (peeled)
2 Apples (peeled and cored)
2 Bananas
3 teaspoons Ground Flax Seed
1 Handfull of Blueberries
12 Ice Cubes
1 Cup Water (add extra for a thinner texture)

Smoothies really are very simple to make, and in addition to the great detox properties which are ideal for anybody quitting cigarettes, they also give a real energy boost that set you up for the day ahead. Try one today!

Gain Status as a Non-Smoker

2007-01-07T12:16:00.000Z

Well here I am in 2007 and still a non-smoker - yes, it is over a year since I gave up smoking so congratulations to me! I won't pretend that it has been easy the whole time; and in fact there are still times when a cigarette seems quite appealing even now (especially during times of stress or worry); but my willpower has stayed with me and I have never seriously considered lighting up. I believe that once I made the decision to quit smoking then it was simply a matter of sticking with that decision and not changing my mind.

I suppose it is much the same with alcoholism; i.e. once a drinker, always a drinker - for "drinker" substitute "smoker". The thing to understand is that the drink (or the cigarette) is not going to make the problem or the stress go away - you will still have to deal with it in the end - so why bother trying to mask it with another fix of your preferred drug?

Anyway, enough of my waffling. The point is that it is over a year since I had a cigarette and it is easier than ever not to smoke. Yes, it would be easy to start smoking again but I can't afford to - either financially or otherwise. And to tell the truth; I simply don't want to - I am enjoying my status as a non-smoker far too much!

Quit Smoking - Stop Filthy Habit

2006-11-15T08:36:00.000Z

As we approach the end of 2006 I imagine that there are many smokers who are considering giving up the habit - I know I was this time last year. And for some reason the start of a New Year always seems like a good time to quit smoking (or stop any other bad habit for that matter). How many times have you put give up smoking on your New Year resolutions list?

It took me a few years before I finally cracked it, but I'm happy to report that this year has been a success. It is now almost 11 months since I had that last cigarette and I can remember the last one well. Funny when I think about it now, because it was a kind of ceremony. I really couldn't imagine how I was going to cope without that stupid stick and I made a point of trying to 'enjoy' it for the last time.

But 11 months on and things are easier than ever. I occasionally quite fancy a cigarette; but not in that all consuming must have it right now kind of way that a drug dependent fool knows only too well. Yes, nicotine is a drug and if you are a smoker then you are addicted. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and if you really want to then you can quit smoking and stop the filthy habit. Perhaps as we approach 2007 now is a good time to start preparing yourself?

Keep Smoking In Your Dreams

2006-10-19T12:08:00.000Z

Right so it's the 19th October and I still haven't had a cigarette. That makes it more than ten months now and I'll soon be at the one year mark as I mentioned last time I was here.

I must admit that there have been a few moments when I've thought about lighting up. Not seriously, just a mild sort of yes I quite fancy a smoke...

In fact; I have even allowed myself to dream about what it would be like to smoke a cigarette. Surprisingly it does not repulse me as some ex-smokers might claim, but quite the opposite - I actually enjoy smoking in my dreams! I think that might be a bad sign but hey; it's actually the only time it is safe to smoke! And to tell the truth I don't even consider smoking during the daytime. I have actually got to the stage where it doesn't even cross my mind. I never thought it could be so easy to start with, but now it is.

So if you're still contemplating giving up smoking and wondering how on earth you're going to manage, then I hope you can take some inspiration from my experience of quitting and just go for it. After all; you can still have a smoke in your dreams!

Eight Months Without A Cigarette

2006-08-17T13:23:00.000Z

I am over half way through month 8 (yep, 8 months! Can you believe it?) now as a non-smoker and as I haven't written anything here for a while I guess there might be one or two people wondering how it has been going.

Well, pretty easy actually. Although I recently went to Mallorca on holiday and found myself fancying a cigarette - like I said a while back; familiar but infrequent situations seem to trigger cravings. The cravings aren't like in the early days of giving up smoking though, and it seems easier to just switch my mind on to something else and forget about smoking.

I don't know when I will post here again because quite frankly I haven't really got anything to say about quitting smoking. I think I've cracked the whole giving up smoking thing and it is not the obsession it was when I started this blog. Perhaps I'll come here to celebrate a whole year of not smoking. That will be on January 1st 2007; see you then!

Here's To The Future!

2006-06-23T10:43:00.000Z

So much time has passed, and so much has changed in my life since quitting smoking. In fact, I find it difficult now to understand the mindset I had when I titled this blog "Help Me Quit Smoking" - as if I needed any help when everything I ever needed was all inside of me!

Actually, that is a bit of a distorted view of things because we all need help from experts from time to time and I am very grateful for the help I received from the quit smoking clinic and especially the NRT patches I got on prescription - they definitely got me through the first month or so.

But I am in such a positive frame of mind at the moment. For starters I am about to leave behind a job I held for 21 years and make formal a business venture I have been toying with for a while - scary or what? Yes, it is a little 'scary' and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit anxious about everything. But it is so very exciting too! I feel positively elated and more optimistic than at any time I can remember (don't you dare try and bring me back down to earth!).

But what has that to do with giving up smoking? Well, that depends on your outlook, and whether you smoke or not, but I feel that quitting smoking was one of the definitive decisions that marked the point when I truly took control of my own destiny.

Sometimes in life we have to make decisions. Well, giving up smoking is one that nobody will ever regret, you can trust me on that one.

No Thanks, I Don't Smoke

2006-06-13T10:26:00.000Z

You might remember that I gave up smoking nearly six months ago. No? Well I did, I am a non-smoker now ;o)

Although I have given up the weed there are still the occasional cravings. Well, I would say that "cravings" is probably putting it too strongly now, it's more a sort of desire - perhaps as a person might desire a particular brand of sweets - but most definitely not the addict's overwhelming urge for another fix. So it is definitely easier not to smoke; even when surrounded by others puffing away!

It's quite amusing sometimes to watch smokers and remember what it was like to be totally reliant on that stupid drug. It seems ridiculous now, but I can remember more than once being thrown into a blind panic because I had left my cigarettes at home or didn't have enough to last until the following day. How sad that seems now and it only goes to show that smoking is a true addiction.

I've had a few conversations with smokers who knew me when I used to smoke and I find it sad to hear some of the excuses they come up with to try to justify themselves carrying on the habit. "Why should I stop something I enjoy?" is one of them. But is it really 'enjoyment' or merely an addict's relief at getting another fix?

Sometimes I get the feeling that deep down they are actually envious because I have cracked it and quit smoking, but maybe that's just my perception and I am deluding myself - just as the smoker deludes themself when thinking that their habit is not leading them towards an early death...

I'm Still Standing

2006-06-04T19:55:00.000Z

It has been so long since I bothered to write anything here that I guess one or two people might think I have failed and gone back to the dark side (thanks Chad for giving me a reminder). So I thought it would be timely to bring things up to date...

I am now in my sixth month (6 months!) without cigarettes. That means I have been a non-smoker for almost half of the year - or for the complete duration of 2006 to date. Is that an achievement or what? Just in case you fail to grasp the magnitude of that, then let me bring you up to speed:-

After 26 years as a dirty smelly drug dependent smoke addict,

I QUIT SMOKING!!!!

Forgive me if I sound like I'm boasting or something, but I am! It hasn't been plain sailing and there have been some ups and downs (as regular readers will know). But I stuck with it and I still haven't given in to temptation, and that makes me a successful quitter, which is quite an achievement I think.

So what did you achieve so far this year?

Smokers Blog Stardate May 2006

2006-04-30T18:24:00.000Z

I am now into month number 5 (yes FIVE) of not smoking; and guess what?

It is getting even easier!

I was actually up, had breakfast, got showered and dressed, and was out and about on Saturday when it suddenly struck me that I hadn't even given a thought to cigarettes or smoking.

Ok, now I know that probably won't sound like any big deal to somebody who has never smoked. And it sure won't sound very encouraging to a smoker considering quitting to think that it is still an effort after 4 months, but here's the point:

I didn't think it was possible to completely forget about smoking, and in fact I thought there would always be a little devil on my shoulder trying to tempt me. So actually going almost half of a day without even thinking about cigarettes is fantastic progress. It makes the times during the past few months when I have needed my willpower to stay on track very worthwhile - there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I am sure that at some time very soon I will even go a full day without thinking of smoking. When that day comes I will truly be a non-smoker and I'll probably forget all about this blog...

Just When You Thought It Was Safe...

2006-04-25T10:57:00.000Z

It's funny really, but each time I think I've cracked it and will never have to endure cravings for cigarettes they seem to come back. And this has been the case over the last couple of days, the smell of other people's smoke has been like the aroma of a good meal to a hungry man - very tempting. I know, it sounds crazy because ordinarily the smell of cigarettes is a stench to be avoided, but...

I've tried to analyze the reason why I can go for weeks without even thinking about smoking and then all of a sudden feel the cravings again. My conclusion is that it is familiar situations that don't happen very often. For example; we had family for dinner at Easter and afterwards I really fancied a cigarette - even though I have completely eradicated the habit of lighting up after a meal on a normal day. I think it was the memory of previous family meals that made me think of smoking; hence the familiar situations that don't happen very often. It's weird, but I guess I will always have to be strong and not give in to the temptation of smoking cigarettes.

But let's not get dramatic now. I don't want to put anybody off giving up smoking, and it is important I should stress that it really isn't that difficult not to smoke any more - just that there are occasions when the temptation is there. But however strong the temptation, I can't tell you just how much better I feel without cigarettes in my life. Giving up smoking has given me a whole new outlook and a healthier life.

And that makes enduring the odd craving for cigarettes more than worthwhile.

Happy Easter!

2006-04-13T08:29:00.000Z

I think quitting smoking and losing weight are similar processes – they both require willpower and determination to succeed. The not smoking part is really quite easy for me now; in fact I don’t think about cigarettes very much at all. However, eating is something that can’t just be given up; and instead I have to learn to do it properly; which means eating healthily.

Being an experienced glutton with many years of practice, I am not always finding it easy to avoid the foods I must. Ok, I know; everything in moderation and all that; but while I am not really bothered either way about stodgy white bread, whole grain rice really isn’t as good as the white stuff, and cravings for chocolate aren’t really noticed until the stuff is out of bounds.

On the positive side though; I just got on the scales and it would appear that since starting my healthy eating campaign I have lost 4lbs. Not bad for a beginner, eh? Hey what the heck, I think I’ll be able to eat a chocolate egg on Sunday after all…

Never Smoke Another Cigarette

2006-04-03T08:28:00.000Z

I am now in my 4th month of not smoking and it really doesn’t take too much effort to resist cigarettes any more. During the first days and weeks it was an effort to get through each day and smoking was constantly in my thoughts, but now it is rare for me to even think of smoking – even when I see other people with cigarettes it doesn’t make me want one myself as it would have done in the first weeks.

But although I now consider myself a “non-smoker”, I can’t let my guard down because there are plenty of stories of people who had quit smoking for 6 months or even a year or more and then started again. It sounds crazy, doesn’t it? How on earth can somebody successfully go through the whole quitting process and then start smoking again months or even years later? I guess they just forget that it took a determined effort to quit, and figure that they can just have one smoke for old time’s sake. It doesn’t work like that of course, being a smoker is like being an alcoholic – once you stop smoking then you need to stay stopped; and never smoke another cigarette. That is why I have to be on my guard and always remember that nicotine is a highly addictive drug that I must not entertain, no matter how appealing it might pretend to be.

Stop Press: Despite becoming fond of salad this weekend and greatly reducing my alcohol intake I am still the same weight this morning, so my plans to lose weight could turn out to be more difficult than I thought. Can I (should I) fit a gym membership into my busy schedule? Hmmm….

You Fat Bastard!

2006-03-30T09:07:00.000Z

Well I knew that I had put on an extra couple of pounds after giving up smoking, but now I think it’s time to do something about it. With a BMI of 27.2 I am officially “overweight” (either that or I’m 2 inches too short for my weight). I haven’t reached the level for obesity yet (critical mass?), but I could be called a Fat Bastard with a good degree of accuracy.

Apparently putting on weight is the most common long term side effect of quitting smoking, so I know I’m not alone. It’s weird the way it just creeps up on you though – ok, fair enough I have been eating a few extra biscuits and little snacks to help keep the cravings at bay, and I know I don’t get enough exercise. Combine this with a pretty lazy job sat in front of a PC all day and it was bound to happen I suppose. The question now is how I deal with it.

I can just about live with being an old bastard in a convertible, but an old fat bastard is pushing the boundary a little too far.

Obviously I need to change my eating habits and get more exercise. It sounds simple when you say it fast, but actually putting the theory into practice is more difficult. But then again, I have conquered a 26 year old deeply ingrained drug habit, so how difficult can it be compared to that?

Watch this space…

Time To Think...

2006-03-28T13:47:00.000Z

One of the less obvious benefits of quitting smoking is the extra time that is gained. All of the usual sources seem to quote the health benefits, and of course the significant amount of money that can be saved, but none that I have seen point out just how much time is wasted during the average smoker's day.

Imagine that you smoke 20 cigarettes a day and each cigarette takes 5 minutes to smoke - that works out at 1 hour and 40 minutes out of each day spent smoking cigarettes! And in my experience, the time spent smoking increases depending on the activity, for example; if I was to paint a door I would first assemble my kit (pain, paintbrush, sandpaper, etc) and then stand back and smoke a cigarette while I thought about the job ahead. Then I might complete the preparation and smoke another cigarette before starting to paint. And so on...

Not forgetting that during the average day it was almost mandatory to have a cigarette before getting dressed, going out, after a meal, or going to bed, etc, etc, etc...

In fact, it is a wonder I ever got anything done given the amount of time I spent smoking cigarettes and thinking about what I was going to do next - no wonder my wife (a life-long non smoker) used to get fed up waiting for me!

It's easy to see these things in retrospect of course. But if you are a smoker considering the benefits of quitting then add to your list, along with the health and financial benefits, the increase in time and productivity you will gain.

Don't Smoke If You Want To Be Happy, Healthy and Wealthy

2006-03-22T09:13:00.000Z

I almost can't believe it is nearly 3 months since I stopped the dreaded smoking habit (time passes far too quickly when you stop to think about it). At this point quitting smoking all seems to have been quite straightforward. I haven't had any serious cravings for a couple of weeks now, and there are no situations during a normal day when I feel the need for cigarettes.

There have been some difficult moments during the past couple of months though. Sometimes the cravings have been really very strong and I admit that there was one moment of weakness after I had been drinking when I would have given in and had a cigarette. Fortunately, there weren't any cigarettes around and the shops were closed, so I didn't/couldn't give in.

Occasionally I feel it would be pleasant to have a cigarette (there is a sort of deep rooted memory of enjoying sucking that carcenogenic smoke into my lungs), but I believe that feeling of pleasantness is an illusion. In fact, if I were to have a cigarette now I'm sure it would be very un-pleasant and I would end up coughing and spluttering. So when the thought arises I just remind myself of the reasons for quitting in the first place.

I can honestly say that I feel happier, healthier and indeed wealthier without cigarettes. My clothes don't stink, I can breathe easier, my mouth feels fresher and I could now actually imagine running for a bus!

Of course I don't need to run for a bus because I have my new convertible Astra. I just hope the English weather picks up a bit so I can enjoy that fresh air...

Go On, Treat Yourself!

2006-03-16T09:09:00.000Z

I hinted a short while back about how I intended to treat myself for giving up smoking. Well today is the day and I can reveal that my 'treat' is a convertible Vauxhall Astra!

I figured that as I had been breathing fresh air for well over 2 months it would be nice to breathe fresh air while I was driving too - mind you, with the weather in England it could turn out to be an expensive folly. But then again; what is smoking if it is not an expensive (very) waste of money?

Maybe I'm going a bit crazy in my middle age, but you've got to live a little haven't you? I know my daughter will be surprised and excited when I pick her up from school later - so it's worth it just for that.

What has this got to do with quitting smoking though? Easy! I am rewarding myself for persevering and kicking the disgusting habit, and using the money I am saving for a little bit of fun for the summer months. So if you came here to learn how to quit smoking, or simply to read about somebody else's experience of quitting then this is it. If you are smoking 20 or more a day then it is costing you well over £30 per week (in the UK) - money you could use towards a treat like this perhaps?

Til next time...

Ban Smoking In Public Places

2006-03-02T09:27:00.000Z

Hey, I'm now in my THIRD month of not smoking! What an achievement eh?

After 26 years of dependence on a stupid life threatening habit, I have finally broken free. At first it was a funny feeling to go out of the house and not have to check that I've got my cigarettes and lighter with me, I felt as though I had forgotten something. Now of course it is routine, and actually it is quite liberating too.

What I can't understand though, is why I have been craving cigarettes so much lately. I no longer have any nicotine in my system, and it is over 2 months since I last had a cigarette, so the cravings don't seem to make much sense. I guess that is just down to a very deeply ingrained habit - after all 26 years is a long time.

I keep telling myself that it will get easier soon.

To be fair, it is not difficult at all when I don't think about smoking. So it was very pleasant the other night to spend the evening in a non-smoking pub. I decided that the idea of needing a cigarette while drinking alcohol is rubbish, and in fact the only time I thought about smoking was after we left the pub and came into contact with a smoker.

So my conclusion today is that the sooner smoking is banned from ALL public places the better - this will benefit not only the people who never smoked in the first place but also the ex-smokers who are persevering to stay off the cigarettes.

No More Nicotine!

2006-02-22T15:21:00.000Z

Just a quick one today.

It is now 4 days since I stopped using the NRT patches and I feel a lot better for it. I'm not sure whether my theory about the low dosage nicotine was right, but I am certainly coping better now that I don't have any nicotine in my system.

So that means it's nearly 2 months without a cigarette. Yippee and congratulations to me! I'll tell you how I have rewarded myself soon (I might even include a photograph!)

Intrigued? You will be...

How Long Will It Take To Quit Cigarettes?

2006-02-20T08:29:00.000Z

The smug smile of satisfaction and the delight at just how easy it has been to quit smoking has gone. The last week has been very very difficult. I finally started to feel irritable and have been having what can only be described as temper tantrums - it remains to be seen whether my wife will still be with me this time next week! The crazy thing is that I know what a pain in the backside I have become, but I just don't seem to have any control over it. One of the things which irritates me is the idea that it is now over 7 weeks without a cigarette and it should be getting easier, not harder!

Anyway, I figured that the reduction of nicotine to 10mg was the cause. I imagine that it is almost like a 'teaser' dose - not enough to satisfy the drug dependence, but enough to tantalise the system into wanting more. That is my theory anyway and it could be complete bullshit, but it made enough sense for me to stop using the patches altogether - I decided that if I was going to suffer with the patches, then I may as well endure complete withdrawal from nicotine and stop using them.

It is now day 2 without NRT and I must confess that last night was one of the worst ever. I was awake most of the night sweating, craving cigarettes and generally feeling very uncomfortable. This morning I feel really tired, but surprisingly the craving for cigarettes has died down. Perhaps the cravings will come back with a vengeance later on? Watch this space...

3 Days To Rid The Body Of Nicotine

2006-02-14T10:05:00.000Z

I'm now on my 3rd day of the 10mg nicotine patches.

Have I been any different than with the 15mg patches? I'm not sure. Yesterday I was craving cigarettes and feeling quite angry and unsettled - although I don't know if that is due to nicotine withdrawal or my lazy teenage step-son winding me up. Perhaps a bit of both (or am I just looking for something to blame my foul mood on?).

I feel that I have kicked the smoking habit because my old smoking routines have gone. I no longer think about cigarettes most of the time and it is only occasionally that I crave cigarettes. Anyway, I've got just over a week of 10mg patches and then I'm on the 5mg for 2 weeks, so we'll see if the further reduction of nicotine has a similar effect.

Of course, after that I will be completely nicotine free. Apparently it takes 3 days for the body to get rid of nicotine altogether, and after that it should be plain sailing. Hah! I guess I'll find out about the plain sailing bit - perhaps the biggest challenge is yet to come?

Quit Smoking And Save Money!

2006-02-06T11:42:00.000Z

Yet another successful non-smoking weekend and a new week as a non-smoker - I really can't believe how easy I've found it to get this far!

I keep thinking that I mustn't get complacent because it could all go wrong in a moment of weakness, but I don't really think it will. However, it remains to be seen how I will cope without the NRT. It is only another four weeks until I am off nicotine patches altogether. This week I'll be cutting down to the 10mg patches, so that will be another milestone and I'm curious to see if there will be increased cravings for cigarettes. I'll let you know.

My friend Lee has managed five days without a cigarette now, so he seems to be doing well. He said it has been difficult for him though and he is having sleepless nights. I hope he sticks at it because I know now from experience that it feels so much better not having to rely on cigarettes (and having an extra few bob to spend!).

Talking of saving money, I bought some new clothes at the weekend and later realised that they actually cost less than I would have spent on cigarettes in the time since I quit smoking. Makes you think how much money is pointlessly going up in smoke, doesn't it?

I Quit Smoking A Month Ago!

2006-02-01T07:54:00.000Z

Today is the 1st February, and you know what that means?

It means I have gone an entire month without cigarettes! I haven't smoked for the whole of January 2006! Just to make sure you understand; I have been a non-smoker since the beginning of the year - I quit smoking a month ago!!!! Hooray and yippee for me!

Ok, it's only right that I should congratulate myself, but if I carry on like that it's going to be very boring, so I won't.

Actually, I can't believe how easy I have found the whole experience. Yes, I've had some cravings and moments where I really fancied a cigarette; but nothing extreme and no cold sweats or climbing up walls with frustration. I think that developing a determination and positive mental attitude towards quitting smoking, along with the help of nicotine patches has made the process quite straightforward.

Of course, I could slip back and give in to an enticing cigarette in a moment of weakness, but that's where the mental preparation comes in; I like to think that I have programmed my mind into accepting that I do not want to smoke again, and if ever I am tempted there is an internal voice that tells me I can't and must not smoke. That's my theory anyway ;o)

Well today is the day that my friend Lee has quit cigarettes. He has his nictotine patches and I lent him "Don't stop smoking til you've read this book", so he should be prepared. I'll let you know how he gets on.

Did I mention that it's now a month since I quit smoking???

Another Day Without Cigarettes

2006-01-30T08:20:00.000Z

Well here I am on Monday morning after another successful weekend of not smoking. It has become quite 'normal' for me now not to have a cigarette and all of my old habits such as lighting up after a meal, or first thing in the morning seem to have gone. There are times of course that I feel like a smoke, but more often than not it's just a feeling of something missing and it's no great hardship when I realise what it is I am 'missing'. It might be a different story without the nicotine patches though - I definitely think they are helping.

On the (slightly) negative side, I am fed up with having sticky black residue on my arms where the patches have been. It's really difficult to remove, and I felt as though people would think I was dirty when I took my daughter swimming at the weekend. I don't want to promote any particular brand of nicotine patches because the effectiveness is just the same, but I found the Nicotinell don't leave this residue whereas the Nicorette do. I suppose these sticky marks are one of the lesser side-effects of quitting smoking with NRT.

Right, it's time to get on with another smokeless day...

Nicotine Replacement Therapy Works!

2006-01-27T08:54:00.000Z

I spoke to the nurse at the quit smoking clinic yesterday and she backed up my theory that having the nicotine patch on for less time resulted in increased cravings the next morning. It's interesting because it seems to confirm that NRT does actually work and it's not just a psychological thing. Anyway, I got a new prescription - I'm on the 15mg nicotine patches for another 2 weeks.

It was a bit of a disappointment really, it sort of feels like I haven't made any progress and I am still a nicotine addict, which I suppose I am (I can't wait til I'm not!). But I shouldn't get too downhearted because after all it is nearly a full month without a cigarette; and that in itself is a massive success. However, it does mean that we will have to wait another 2 weeks to see how I cope with the reduced (10mg) nicotine levels.

My determination is as strong as ever though, I don't want to smoke another cigarette - ever!

I never saw myself as influencing others, but my friend Lee has decided to join the club and quit smoking too. He has set his day to quit as next Wednesday and I've given him "Don't Stop Smoking Until You've Read This Book" to read and prepare himself. He has also made an appointment at his own surgery to attend the quit smoking clinic. I wish him all the best of luck!

Chewing Gum Instead Of Smoking Cigarettes

2006-01-25T07:39:00.000Z

Oh no!

The cravings for a cigarette are really quite strong this morning. I'm not going to give in, but I know I would really enjoy a smoke.

I wonder why the urge is so strong on day 25? Maybe it's because I took the nicotine patch off earlier than usual last night and my system is wondering what's going on. After all, the patches are supposed to be 16 hour jobs and I think I only had the patch on for about 14 hours yesterday. Add to this the fact that it was about 10 hours before I put the new one on this morning and it just might be the reason.

If my theory is correct then I can expect some increased cravings in a couple of days when I am on the 10mg patches instead of the 15mg. Hmm... We'll see....

Anyway, as I said I'm not going to give in. I keep a pack of sugar free chewing gum with me at all times, and now I'm chewing away the cravings for a cigarette. It's getting better already!

I Kicked The Smoking Habit

2006-01-23T09:48:00.000Z

I'm well into my 23rd day as a non-smoker now and I think it's getting easier. Not that it has been too difficult anyway, but I think that it might be true about it taking 21 days to break a habit because smoking is no longer a habit for me - I no longer routinely reach for a cigarette first thing in the morning, or after a meal, or for that matter at any other time during the day.

There are times when I do fancy a smoke though, for example; I was at the pub on Saturday night and it would have been easy to light up a cigarette because that's what I always did in the past and the 'urge' was there. However, I was able to resist without too much difficulty.

I will be going to the quit smoking clinic on Thursday and I'll get my new NRT prescription, so it will be interesting to see if there are any increased cravings when I am on the lower dose nicotine patches at the weekend. Watch this space...

Just Quit Smoking

2006-01-20T08:55:00.000Z

Day 20 as a non-smoker...

If you're reading this as a smoker who is considering giving up the habit, then just do it because it really isn't as frightening or difficult as you might imagine.

I can say that with the benefit of experience. I was actually quite afraid of stopping smoking, or more to the point; I was scared of how I would cope with withdrawal. But now I just wish I had quit smoking sooner.

However, I don't think there is any point in trying to quit without some preparation - you need to get yourself into the right frame of mind and build the determination and will power to succeed. I achieved it by reading a book called; "Don't stop smoking until you've read this book" and also surfing the web for tips and advice. There is some great quit smoking information out there if you want to find it.

I don't think I could have come this far without NRT though, the nicotine patches have really helped in my opinion. This was reinforced yesterday when I spoke to a guy who gave up at the same time, but without the benefit of patches - he is now back on the cigarettes! He claims to still want to stop, and is disappointed at his loss of willpower. I advised him to arrange a visit to his local stop smoking clinic and get some advice, plus the all-important prescription for NRT. I hope it works out for him in the future.

I bet there are some reading this who are just dying for me to slip up and have a smoke. That would serve me right for being so smug and self-righteous, wouldn't it? Well, to be honest; that just makes me all the more determined to never smoke another cigarette!

Passive Smoking Shock

2006-01-18T07:56:00.000Z

Day 18 as a non-smoker, but is it getting any easier?

Yes and no.

"Yes" because I'm not automatically reaching for cigarettes at various times during the day, so I don't have to constantly remind myself not to smoke. But "no" because there are times when I really want a cigarette. I wish the desire to smoke would just go away completely, but having talked to other ex-smokers, I know this will probably never happen.

On a more positive note; the transition to 16 hour NRT patches has been straightforward. I thought there might be increased cravings during the morning while the nicotine kicked in, but it hasn't been a problem. And the big advantage is that I am now sleeping better, so that's a relief.

When I do have the urge to smoke, I try to imagine what it would be like:

Can you remember your first ever cigarette? If it was anything like mine (and I have no reason to think it wouldn't be) it wasn't pleasant. In fact, it was quite a shock and in some ways a bit painful as the smoke entered my lungs. To be honest, it took quite a bit of determination and practice before I learned to smoke 'properly'.

That is how I imagine it would be to have a cigarette now 18 days after quitting smoking - it helps me to resist the urge.

Another thing that helps is, instead of trying to ignore cigarettes and smoking, I confront the facts. For example; I was reading about passive smoking in the paper yesterday and learned that researchers in the United States have found that second-hand smoke kills more people than murder, drugs and AIDS combined. Quite a shocking statistic I think...

No Thanks, I Don't Smoke!

2006-01-16T10:02:00.000Z

I attended a function at the weekend where I was surrounded by people smoking cigarettes. As there was alcohol involved too, I had to be on my guard because I've read that these situations can be some of the most difficult for ex-smokers like myself.

Well I'm happy to say that I came through it without smoking; and the good news is that it really wasn't too difficult. I probably ate several people's share of the buffet, but that is a price I am prepared to pay for resisting the temptation of a cigarette at this stage - I did go for an extra long walk yesterday in an effort to burn off some of the extra calories though.

It's now my 16th day and into my third week without smoking and I plan to reward myself soon. It would be good if I could see a huge financial gain by not smoking, but as I used to buy rolling tobacco the savings aren't as great as if I had bought regular cigarettes. But nevertheless it is still a saving not to be ignored.

Incidentally, if you are reading this as a 20 a day smoker you might be interested in my thought for the day: Instead of buying your usual pack of cigarettes today, why don't you try setting light to a five pound note? Or would that be a waste of money...?

Break The Smoking Habit

2006-01-13T20:17:00.000Z

Almost two weeks since I stopped smoking and I feel better than ever. I wish I'd done it years ago but it's never too late they say.

I attended the stop smoking clinic yesterday: My carbon monoxide level has gone from 20 to just 1, and I have a new prescription for 16 hour Nicotine patches. The patches are still full strength for the next two weeks but next time they will drop to the middle level and then the lowest after a further two weeks; after that I'm on my own.

With the sleeping problems I've had, I decided to remove the patch just before bed last night to see if things improved. Well, fantastic! I had the first full night's sleep since I quit cigarettes - so now that I am on the 16 hour jobs things should start getting back to normal. However, I did experience some quite strong cravings first thing in the morning, I got through it though so it shouldn't be too difficult to cope in future.

Today was the first day I ate a meal and didn't immediately think of lighting up afterwards (one of my old habits). In fact, it was at least an hour after the meal before I even thought about smoking; so hopefully I'm starting to break the habit. Apparently, it takes 21 days to break a habit so I'll let you know on the 21st...

Do NRT Patches Work?

2006-01-11T07:32:00.000Z

I'm into my eleventh day as a non-smoker now and I've got to say it hasn't been too difficult so far. My morning fruit juice has become a routine that has replaced the old habit of coffee and cigarette, and I have developed other 'coping strategies' for other times during the day; such as chewing gum, eating extra strong mints, or simply getting up and going out for a walk.

Many people have asked (and I have wondered myself) just how effective my NRT is in helping with quitting smoking. Well as I have been coping fairly easily, the only conclusion is that it is very effective for me - either because of the nicotine, or on a psychological level. Co-incidentally, I left my nicotine patch off for a couple of hours last night. It wasn't a deliberate thing - just that I got distracted and forgot to replace it with the new one. The result was, co-incidence or not, that I started to get edgy and felt quite strong cravings for a cigarette. Naturally, I put the new one on as soon as I realised.

I am still having sleeping problems though. This could be due to side effects of the NRT or simply because of the big change in my daily rituals - I personally suspect the NRT. Anyway, I have my appointment at the stop smoking clinic tomorrow, so I will bring the subject up then. They will probably change my NRT prescription as a matter of course though, so here's hoping for a good night's sleep! Watch this space...

Persistence To Quit Smoking

2006-01-09T10:19:00.000Z

It is now my 9th day without a cigarette, so congratulations to me! I must admit there have been some cravings over the weekend though; at one point it was a bit of a struggle to stay calm - I felt quite irritable and would have loved a smoke. But I persisted and with the help of some extra strong mints made it through.

I think that throwing all of my smoking paraphernalia away was definitely a good decision for me. One person I spoke to (who is an ex-smoker) said that he found it helpful to always carry a pack of cigarettes, and the knowledge that he could always have one if he wanted was a comfort. I don't think that would work for me because I'm pretty sure I would have given in to the cravings and had a cigarette over the weekend if I could.

Anyway, I'm off to the stop smoking clinic again on Thursday. They will check my carbon monoxide levels and give me a new prescription for NRT. I wonder if I will be continuing with the same nicotine patches, or whether they will be a reduced dose? We'll see, but the 24 hour ones are definitely giving me sleepless nights and it would be good if I can cope with just the daytime ones.

The Myth Of Cigarettes Revealed!

2006-01-05T16:55:00.000Z

When I decided to give up smoking, one of the things that concerned me was the prospect of getting 'stressed out' and not being able to relax. I had always used cigarettes to help me calm down in times of crisis, or simply to unwind and relax at various times during the day, and I was of the firm belief that smoking helped me to do this. So I was surprised to learn that the opposite is true; cigarettes actually stress you out!

The way it works is that when you smoke a cigarette, the nicotine levels in your bloodstream are increased (and as we all know nicotine is a highly addictive drug; apparently more so than heroin or other 'class A' substances). Naturally, as time passes without smoking, the nicotine levels drop again and the urge to smoke another cigarette is felt. The longer the time elapsed then the stronger the urge becomes. When a cigarette is eventually smoked the nicotine levels are immediately increased again - and it is this relief of the craving for nicotine that gives the impression that smoking causes relaxation. Of course, if you never smoked then you wouldn't have got so stressed out in the first place!

This is one of the things I learned in my preparation for stopping smoking and I believe it has helped tremendously in my attitude to giving up. It's now 5 days without a cigarette and, to be honest, I am delighted that things are going so well.

Whatever Happened To...

2006-01-04T07:55:00.000Z

Readers may wonder about the progress of Liz; my supposed accomplice in this stop smoking lark? After all, there don't seem to have been many contributions on this blog from her so it would only be natural to feel a little puzzled. Perhaps I should explain...

Liz has no willpower, she is an abject failure and a poor example of somebody quitting smoking. Yes, you guessed it; Liz is a (horror of horrors!) SMOKER!!! In short; Liz has failed miserably to give up the dreaded weed without lasting even half of the first day.

It would be easy for me to get all self-righteous, and it may appear to some (including Liz herself) that I have. After all, there is nothing worse to a smoker than a reformed smoker. If you have ever smoked yourself then you will be fully aware of the type I am referring to: It is the irritating bore who protests loudly about the smoker's filthy habit.

But I mustn't be complacent; after all it is only my 4th day as a non-smoker and probably far too early to be shouting from the rooftops. But I feel so much better without cigarettes. I can breathe easier, I don't stink of stale tobacco, my teeth feel cleaner and my breath fresher, and I haven't got to worry about running out of cigarettes or that my lighter will fail me. But perhaps most important of all; my wife and daughter have renewed their respect for me - and that makes me feel on top of the world!

Giving up smoking is not about doing without at all; it is about gaining a whole new healthier and happier way of life - I hope that Liz will one day realise that.

So if Liz has failed in her promise to quit smoking, what of the £50 for a cancer charity then? I'll leave that up to her conscience...

A Non-Smoker For 3 Days!

2006-01-03T09:53:00.000Z

This is my 3rd day as a non-smoker!

I almost hate to admit it, but so far it has been quite easy. The full strength nicotine patches are probably helping in that respect, even though they are giving me very vivid dreams and a disturbed night's sleep (a fairly common side effect apparently). I know it is early days, but I really feel quite confident that smoking cigarettes is now a thing of the past, and I can look forward to a healthier, fitter future. So I can tolerate a few strange dreams if in the long run the result is that I am a non-smoker.

It's a strange thing, but actual cravings for a smoke have been quite few. Instead, I've had moments throughout each day where I felt as though something was missing and I couldn't quite work out what it was - of course, it gradually dawns that the thing missing is a cigarette, and that's when I try to do something else to occupy myself. I hope that I have convinced my sub-conscious mind that smoking is now unacceptable.

I realise now just how much time I was wasting during a typical day by smoking. Procrastination was my middle name, and it was common for me to utter the phrase; "I'll just have a fag", before doing something. I've also noticed that a great deal of my cigarettes were smoked just to help pass the time when I was feeling a little bored. Well no more! I will NOT be a slave to cigarettes...

One Day At A Time

2006-01-01T20:14:00.000Z

I've just spent my first day as a non smoker and I'm feeling quite proud. Yes, I know it's not the 3rd January yet, but I decided that giving up smoking would be a good New Year's resolution - so today was the first day.

I was advised when I visited the stop smoking counsellor last Thursday to try NRT and was given a prescription for patches. The nicotine patches are full strength 24 hour jobs, and I put the first one on in the early hours of this morning after a ceremonial last cigarette. I then threw away all of my smoking paraphernalia, ashtrays etc.

This is only the first day, but so far the cravings haven't been too bad. Each time I feel like a cigarette I just tell myself that the desire will only last a few minutes and I try to do or think about something else. So far it seems to be working.

Apparently, it is important to try to identify the 'important' cigarettes, i.e. the ones we enjoy the most and then find something to replace them with. I decided that my first cigarette of the day was going to be the hardest to quit and I have stocked up on fruit juice which I now plan to have a glass of each morning instead of my routine coffee and cigarette. Much more healthy, eh?

Anyway, it's only the first day and I know that I would really enjoy a cigarette if I had one. But I'm determined not to...

4 Days To Become An Ex-smoker

2005-12-29T13:06:00.000Z

Just 4 days left and I'm starting to feel a little anxious. I can't wait to be on the other side of the whole giving up smoking experience, and a fully fledged ex-smoker. It's what I want to be and I am committed to quitting smoking, but it is the difficulty of actually stopping that is worrying me - I have all sorts of images of hellish withdrawal symptoms and feeling moody and uncomfortable.

In an effort to prepare myself I have been trying not to have a cigarette at the usual times, i.e. after a meal, with a drink, etc. I have also bought a book called; "Don't Stop Smoking Until You've Read This Book". So far I've read about half of the book and it makes a lot of sense.

But I'm still scared of what I might face. Stupid eh? Why on earth should I be scared of reducing my risk of heart disease, lung cancer and a whole host of other nasties? Anyway, I've booked an appointment at my local health center to see a stop smoking counsellor where I will be able to get NRT on prescription. That is if I want it.

The appointment is later today, so I'll probably write about that in a day or two...

Woman Sacked For Being A Smoker

2005-12-23T13:33:00.000Z

A story in the newspaper today tells of a woman who was sacked 45 minutes after starting a new job because she admitted to smoking cigarrettes. Apparently this 'positive discrimination' is perfectly legal in the UK, and the company make clear their anti-smoker policy at their website.

I checked out the website and it does say quite clearly at the very bottom of their recruitment page under 'Other Benefits' that it is a smoke free environment and in brackets "non smokers only". The woman claims to be taking legal action against the company, and even the opinion of the Daily Mirror newspaper is that it was unfair to sack her, and that she should have been given help to quit smoking while employed at the company.

Personally, I think it is good to see an employer taking a strong stance against smoking. Not just smoking in the workplace, but by not employing smokers. How can I say this as a smoker? Easy, I am about to become an ex-smoker remember, and I feel that smoking in this day and age when we know the danger to health should not be an option. So I salute the forward thinking company and hope many others take the same stance.

Never mind the tobacco companies' revenues or the billions raised in taxation, cigarrettes should be consigned to history and the sooner the better. I believe that one day this will happen, and I look forward to the day that our children and grandchildren can look back in bewilderment at the deadly habit and our stupidity for embracing it in history books.

Stop Smoking With Cold Turkey

2005-12-22T11:03:00.000Z

Thinking about how I will actually stop smoking, whether it be with the aid of patches, nicotine gum, or even hypnosis it suddenly struck me how appropriate at this time of year "Cold Turkey" would be :oD

I haven't got much to write today, except to say that I have been paying attention to various things like how I feel in the morning when I have my first cigarrette, and under what circumstances I decide to light up during the day. I probably should be keeping a smoking diary, but I'm just too lazy...

13 Lucky For Some?

2005-12-21T11:37:00.000Z

Just 13 days left until the big event (or should it be 'non-event'?).

To be honest, there is so much going on at the moment with preparations for Christmas that I haven't given much serious thought to my quit smoking plan. Of course, each time I have another cigarette it does cross my mind that very soon I must stop, but I haven't really 'psyched myself up' for the big day. I hope that perhaps on some sub-conscious level my mind has already accepted the fact.

In previous years, I always enjoyed a cigar or two at Christmas time, but this year I am not going to indulge. I guess that will be easy because I don't smoke cigars the rest of the year, so why should it be difficult? Giving up the cigarettes will be a different story though.

But I'm not going to pull any punches. If it's difficult, painful, easy, or surprising in any way, I will talk about it here. In fact, I will log any and all side-effects or discomfort I experience, warts and all. Wish me luck and come back soon!

Oh yes, I found another good quit smoking site today. Appropriately it is called "Quit" and you can find it at http://www.quit.org.uk/. I really should find the time to start reading it....

How Am I Going To Quit?

2005-12-19T12:34:00.000Z

They say that winners never quit and quitters never win, but in this case quitting will be winning. But how the heck am I going to do it? If I'm going to stop completely by the 3rd January, then I need to start preparing myself...

Part of my preparation for quitting smoking is reading up on the facts and scouring the Internet for help and advice. One of the sites I have discovered is at www.ash.org.uk and it contains some great information including 15 Top Tips For Stopping Smoking.

I’m not sure yet whether to use NRT (nicotine replacement therapy), i.e. patches, nicotine gum, etc or just go ‘cold turkey’ and grin and bear the withdrawal cravings. But I suppose if it makes the process easier, then NRT could be worth a go.

I've even considered hypnosis but after witnessing some of the antics performed by susceptible guinea pigs on TV, I don't fancy the idea of suddenly stripping naked and shouting "Last orders, gentlemen please!" in my local Asda if somebody just happens to say the wrong thing over the Tannoy.

I'll do some more reading for now I think...

Why Am I Stopping Smoking?

2005-12-16T10:14:00.000Z

I thought it might be helpful to jot down a few reasons why I want to stop smoking cigarettes. You never know; it might help to give me a kick up the backside and motivate me.

Reduce the risk of lung cancer – the prospect of suffering the effects of lung cancer is very frightening indeed and although I have been a smoker for a long time, stopping can only help to reduce the risk.

Heart disease – with a history of heart trouble in my family I must be absolutely mad to continue smoking. Sometimes I feel like a ticking time bomb waiting for the explosion of a heart attack, so I really should make an effort to look after my heart.

Increased fitness – Without the pollution in my system it should be easier to exercise and that can only be good for my heart. Provided I don’t overdo it of course. At the moment, even the thought of running for a bus leaves me gasping!

Anti Social Effects Of Cigarette Smoke – It is becoming more and more common to find no smoking signs in public places. In fact, there seem to be very few places left where it is acceptable to smoke. Do I really need the weed so much that I will stand outside in the rain and cold to satisfy my addiction?

For My Wife And Daughter – My wife has never been a smoker, so although she doesn’t nag me to quit smoking I know that she finds it hard to understand why I need cigarettes. And I know that my daughter will be delighted when I stop. They both mean the world to me, so why should I make them endure the effects of my habit?

Hmmm, some food for thought there…

Smoke no more!!

2005-12-15T13:27:00.000Z

January the 3rd is the date which im trying to somehow ignore, yet in 19 days time it is our set day to Quit smoking. Oh No!! the possibility of completely stopping smoking is unimaginable yet I know it can be done. My target is to stop smoking on the 3rd of January. Failure to comply will result in the forfeit of £50.00 to a cancer charity of our choice. From the first day onwards, Tony and i shall be quitting and sharing our thoughts on here.
I am also hoping to join the army, which means i need to be able to run without falling to the floor within 2 minuites and gasping from exhaustion.
So i shall go and celebrate Christmas and New year, and i will return back to work a non smoker. so we'll see!!!....

Making A Start

2005-12-15T10:08:00.000Z

At this point giving up smoking is just a commitment for the New Year, so I am trying to prepare myself mentally for the challenge ahead. There are 19 full days left until 3rd January at which point there will be no more cigarettes in my life.

Will it be difficult? I'm sure there will be some tough times but until I get going properly I can't really comment on them and that is what this blog is all about. So if you want to know how I am getting on, drop by regularly and find out.

For the record; I have been a regular smoker for about 26 years. I started when I was around 15 or 16 and it seemed grown up and cool to smoke, but now that I'm 42 the novelty has worn off and the dreaded weed is a bad habit that is shortening my life and threatening the health of everybody around me.

Ok, that's enough quit smoking talk for today. I think I'll go and have a fag...